Tuesday, February 23, 2016

CDC : Sexual Transmission Of Zika May Be More Common Than Previously Believed

# 11,051

Although mosquitoes are undoubtedly the greatest threat for vectoring the Zika virus, we've seen rare reports of sexual transmission as well, and that has resulted in guidance from many public health agencies over the past couple of weeks (see here, here, andhere).

Today the CDC has issued a media statement indicating they are investigating as many as 14 possible cases of sexual transmission, including several pregnant women, and they now think that sexual transmission may be more common than previously believed.

The CDC will release an updated HAN later today, but for now, here is the media advisory.

Media Statement

CDC has committed to sharing the latest information on Zika virus as it becomes available. On February 5, 2016, CDC published interim recommendations
for protecting people against sexual transmission of Zika virus. This
guidance was issued after lab confirmation of the first case of Zika
virus infection in a non-traveler in the continental United States,
which was linked to sexual contact with an infected partner.

CDC and state public health departments are now investigating 14 new
reports of possible sexual transmission of Zika virus, including several
involving pregnant women. In two of the new suspected sexual
transmission events, Zika virus infection has been confirmed in women
whose only known risk factor was sexual contact with an ill male partner
who had recently traveled to an area with local Zika virus
transmission; testing for the male partners is still pending. For four
additional suspected sexual transmission events, preliminary laboratory
evidence (IgM antibody test) is available for the women, but
confirmatory tests are pending. For eight other suspected events, the
investigation is ongoing. In all events for which information is
available, travelers were men and reported symptom onset was within 2
weeks before the non-traveling female partner’s symptoms began. Like
previously reported cases of sexual transmission, these cases involve
possible transmission of the virus from men to their sex partners. At
this time, there is no evidence that women can transmit Zika virus to
their sex partners; however, more research is needed to understand this
issue.

Although sexual transmission of Zika virus infection is possible,
mosquito bites remain the primary way that Zika virus is transmitted.
Because there currently is no vaccine or treatment for Zika virus, the
best way to avoid Zika virus infection is to prevent mosquito bites.

Because these new reports suggest sexual transmission may be a more
likely means of transmission for Zika virus than previously considered,
CDC issued a Health Advisory Notice (HAN) today to underscore the
importance of adhering to the interim guidance published on February 5.

The CDC’s February 5 interim guidance includes:

Recommendations for pregnant women and men with pregnant sex partners who live in or have traveled to Zika-affected areas:

Men with a pregnant sex partner who reside in or
have traveled to an area of active Zika virus transmission and their
pregnant sex partners should use condoms the right way every time during
sex (vaginal, anal, or oral) or abstain from sexual activity for the
duration of the pregnancy. Using latex condoms the right way every time
reduces the risk of sexual transmission of many infections, including
those caused by other viruses.

Recommendations for non-pregnant women, and men with
non-pregnant sex partners who live in or have traveled to Zika-affected
areas:

Couples in which a man resides in or has traveled to an area of
active Zika virus transmission who are concerned about sexual
transmission of Zika virus may consider using condoms the right way
every time during sex or abstaining from sexual activity.

Couples may consider several factors when making this complex and personal decision to use condoms or not have sex:

Zika virus illness is usually mild. An estimated 4 out of 5 people
infected never have symptoms; when symptoms occur they may last from
several days to one week.

The risk of Zika infection depends on how long and how much a person
has been exposed to infected mosquitoes, and the steps taken to prevent
mosquito bites while in an affected area.

The science is not clear on how long the risk should be avoided.
Research is now underway to answer this question as soon as possible. If
you are trying to get pregnant, you may consider testing in discussion
with your health care provider.

These investigations are preliminary, and CDC will continue to update its guidance as more information becomes available.